Everyone
The May issue has gone to the printers. You can look forward to 3 layout articles, 2 stock articles and 4 other articles.
This month also sees a change to Branchlines. I hope you like it!
As always, if you have comments or suggestions for 009 news then do email me at contents@009society.com
The current stash of articles stands at
Layouts 9
Motive Power 4
Buildings 1
Prototypes 1
Stock 1
Techniques 1
I'd love to have more so do please think what you could contribute!
Stuart
So what's the view on Branchlines in the May issue? Are fewer, longer, entries the way forward compared to lots of small entries? Is there going to be a happy middle ground?
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Stuart
Stuart
The publication of a simple list of groups and contact details is excellent. That constitutes a service to members. As you have shown this occupies less than a full page.
However, that is all in the normal run of events that is needed. The removal of lots of small entries is to be welcomed and is long overdue. As to the provision of fewer longer entries that is unnecessary.
The resulting space saved can then be used for interesting articles about modelling.
*****
That I realise raises a crucial point.
I suspect that over the years some of your predecessors have welcomed the branchlines reports as a way of filling space when there may otherwise have been a dearth of articles. Dare one hope than that those who were formally the enthusiastic group scribes, might in the future (a) become the zealous authors of descriptions of modelling, and (b) encourage their group members to do the same?
*****
One more point if I may. Can the authors of layout articles please be encouraged to provide track plans?
Christopher Payne
I'd tend to agree with Christopher. Goings-on in one group are generally of little or no great interest to members elsewhere; if people really want to find out what happened at the last meeting of any other Group, or when the next meeting might be, they only have to email the contact printed in the News. Ditto for their own Group (unless they were actually at the last meeting, of course). Though it would still be possible just to include the details of the next meeting under each Group, though the lead time for publishing the News does make this rather complicated.
If Group meetings' affairs are worth disseminating generally then I'd suggest this forum is the ideal medium for doing that - as the W. Mids. folk have realised.
Otherwise it looks like a good issue, though I'm still working my way through it... Graham Kean's excellent article makes me wonder whether there would be any interest in a Purbeck SIG?
David.
It would appear that it is best to put details on the 009 Railway Modellers Facebook, as there are more 009 society members
on there, than on here.
The question is why ?
Stan.
As someone who writes the reports for the West Mids Group (for some time now) it was getting harder to edit the 300-500 words I would generate to the 150 or less for 009 News. With the recent increase in the number of Local Area Groups (LAGs) to 30, and more of them submitting reports (keeping in touch during COVID lock downs?) Stuart was faced with the dilemma of either reducing the word count to the point where other than details of the next meeting there would be nothing else, or cutting the number of reports printed each month.
In consultation with those writing/ submitting reports it was decided that each month 3 or 4 groups would have the opportunity to submit a longer piece to 'showcase' what they do as a group, if only to remind the the membership as a whole that they still exist!
However, I would take issue with those who feel that Branchlines is "unnecessary" or "of little or no interest to members elsewhere"
In the first instance this Society started out as a postal society, and often the only contact members had with one another was our newsletter 009 News. Admittedly times have changed and more and more is being done online, but surely a monthly printed newsletter still has a place in the modern world (if only because if you drop your paper copy in the bath whilst reading it you can just dry it out - try that with a smartphone or tablet computer!). Note my italics- if you want a magazine then there are other alternatives out there...
In the second instance our local area groups are, I feel, one of our biggest selling points. Given the dearth of narrow gauge railway modelling (let alone 009 modelling) found in the average model railway club how are our members going to meet up with like (narrow?) minded modellers to chat about their projects, overcome problems and get inspiration? And whilst there may be a list of area groups on the website comparatively few of those have their own websites. How will a new member (particularly one who is not IT savvy) find out if they have an active LAG and what that LAG gets up to in order to make an informed decision regarding whether to get involved or not?
As as to the contents of reports not being of interest to others not in the group, several times I have received emails from (non West Mids) members asking for further information about things that West Mids members have done that I've mentioned in the reports that have been read in 009 News.
I know full well that Branchlines is a bit 'marmite', but just because a vocal minority don't like it that is not a reason to deny access to those of us who do enjoy reading about what our area groups get up to.
And knowing the effort that goes in to running a group, arranging meetings and writing regular reports (probably getting on for 20 years by now) it's somewhat disappointing to see my efforts and those who coordinate the other area groups seemingly dismissed...
I am pleased with the new Branchlines format. Providing a list gets round the problem of some groups not being represented because they did not send in reports. Including details of next meeting or usual meeting patterns (eg; second Saturday of the month) in the list is a good idea but inconsistent at the moment with only some entries providing this information. I do not agree with the idea that it should be just a list. Knowing nothing about a group beyond a name and a contact address is going to be offputting for new people, especially in the case of groups with no website. The 'showcase' pieces describing and promoting each group provide a useful insight into what each group does without all the obscure in-group references of the traditional reports.
Concerning trackplans, I think the importance should not be overstated. An article on a large or complex layout is much more insightful with a plan included as it provides a perspective that photographs cannot, showing the 'method behind the madness'. For instance a rabbit warren can be very difficult to figure out without a plan. However. if the layout is small and/or a simple , a plan is hardly necessary as it is obvious from a sentence and a picture or two, how everything goes together. I do not think for example that my layout, a passing station with one siding, really needs explanatory diagrams.
Regarding Branchlines, I have not yet got back to regularly attending local groups, due to other commitments, and so like to follow what is going on in the reports, but I also have friends in more distant groups so like to see what they have been doing in the other reports. However, all these would be covered by putting the reports on the Website.
Regarding track plans, I always look for the track plan first when reading a piece on a layout as it allows me to understand the relative position of the parts of the model described and shown in the photos as well as understand the operational possibilities. So I find them very useful and am disappointed if there is no plan, unless the layout is very simple or there is a general overview photo which to some extent provides the same information.
Frank
Track plans were always difficult to extract from authors way back when I edited the NEWS - and then when they did arrive I would often have to re-jig them to produce a print-acceptable format, which is time consuming. I shouldn't think much has changed.
As some have commented, a bird's-eye view photo of the layout would suffice in most cases, but that can be problematic, too.
As to Branchlines - the SIGs report on this forum, so the groups could, too. Some do already
It may encourage more members to join the forum! <grin>
Quote from: JulienW on May 05, 2022, 20:13And knowing the effort that goes in to running a group, arranging meetings and writing regular reports (probably getting on for 20 years by now) it's somewhat disappointing to see my efforts and those who coordinate the other area groups seemingly dismissed...
Not by me, Julien, as hopefully you appreciated! Indeed I held up the W Mids Group as an example to all!
David.
Lets not get carried away with the thought that everyone is on the internet, they are not.
We have a regular attendance of between 55 to 65 coming to Rainford, but I have to contact five members of the 009 society
by phone to keep them up to date. They have also missed out on the newsletters produced over the last couple of years by the
North West Groups.
I am certain that Brian Elsmore could also point out a large number of society members who are not on the internet from around the UK.
So the question is, why should they miss out ?
As for track plans for layouts, ask any exhibition manager in the UK and they will tell you, its like getting blood out of a stone !!
Normal answer is, I am rubbish at drawing and don t want to make a fool of myself.
You maybe able to do it, but many cannot or just do not need the hastle and its all about everyone not just what a handful would like.
Stan.
Indeed, the 'just put groups stuff on the internet' argument seems like a slippery slope to 'just put the whole news on the internet and have no magazine'. Which would be bad. Magazines and other publications have the advantage of being properly curated and edited so give you more and higher quality information in less time than unregulated digital media.
David, I'd be the last person to suggest doing away with a 'proper' magazine. However, it seems (1) the issue here is that there is a perceived need (which might be challenged by some!) to reduce the space occupied by Branchlines in the 009 News and (2) the area/group coordinator would still have as much control over information posted (by them, anyway) as they would in the print edition, so would still be in a position to regulate and curate such information, I'd have thought.
David.
*
It is because there is the desire for a "proper" magazine that some feel the branchlines reports to be an inappropriate use of space.
Some like the idea of such reports moving to this forum. Others object that they should remain available to those who do not use the internet.
There is a solution to this that ought I suggest be widely acceptable and avoid the bad feeling that this matter has previously generated.
*****
Why does not the Society emulate the 7mm Narrow Gauge Association and provide both a magazine and separate leaflet in printed form?
(i) The leaflet could contain the group reports and perhaps information from the Sales Team. It might work to its own shorter deadlines.
(ii) This leaflet would be simply produced in black and white on plain (non-glossy) paper.
(iii) As with the 7mm NG Association the leaflet would have its own editor. This person would obviously be an enthusiast for the group reports and might want to style the leaflet the "OO9 NEWSLETTER".
(iv) This would free space in "OO9 NEWS" for modelling articles and allow our worthy editor to get on with the work of producing the magazine we all want.
(v) The material published in the "OO9 NEWSLETTER" could also be put on this forum. This would be to the convenience of many, whilst those dependent on paper copies would not be disadvantaged.
Obviously there would need to be an investigation as to the costs of production and distribution, but given that the 7mm NG Association has been doing this for many years (granted on a bi-monthly basis) surely it is worth considering such an idea.
Christopher Payne
The separate newsletter idea does make sense in theory, but according to old threads, the idea is always rejected on the reasonable grounds that as the magazine is monthly, a separate sheet has no functional benefit over a couple of pages in the magazine itself.
However, I personally would support the provision of a separate newsletter if that is what the majority want. The advantages have been well stated. Of course there would need to be clear agreement over the responsibilities of each publication, to ensure that neither is seen to be stealing the other's content.
While I do not have previous experience of editing a publication, in the interests of putting words into action, if the members choose to go down this path then I would like to be considered as a candidate for the editor of said newsletter.
All very good ideas Christopher.
Just needs someone to volunteer to look into the logistics of a 'secondary stuffing', any additional costs involved and act as editor for the thing, etc., etc.
(I notice that David Weber has not been quick enough to take the traditional step backwards with everyone else when there's a call for volunteers to step forward - you may come to regret that, but well done that man!)
I agree that no one should be denied news and reports because they do not have Internet access.
As I understand it, the current NEWS comes in just below the postage limit - adding extra pages either as a separate newsletter, or extra pages to the NEWS would be a big cost increase. (although the Society is well-off apparently, if I recall the AGM correctly...)
Needs a lot of thought....
I feel the current (new) format to be an improvement. The main reason many of us didn't particularly like Branchlines is that they all seemed to be the same...
"We met at Joe Bloggs house, 234 people came, it was a bit crowded, we discussed many things (too many to mention here), some NG but lots of other things as well"
You get the idea, and there also still seems to be some sort of "competition" going on to who has the best attended meeting, though for the life of me I can't see why this has to be the case, it seems like the other competition to see who had the biggest NG show we had a few years ago, quite frankly who cares!
Hence many of us felt it was a waste of space. Hopefully the new format will be less on that and more concentrating on the modelling and some photos!
I don't think Branchlines is dead just yet, though it did need a major rethink.
Everyone
Please keep the comments coming, I really want to understand what people care about with reagrds to 009 News.
Let me pick up on a couple of the points mentioned. Julien has the reason for the change correct. Due to the increasing number of groups reporting, which I personally think is fantastic, we were having to cut down the number of words drastically every time. It was effort for the reporters and effort for myself and I ran a big risk of cutting important information. Something needed to change to ensure a better flow of the right information.
Space is the problem. We are able to put 24 pages into an A4 envelope and stay within the 100g postal rate. Any more and we risk going over into the 250g postal rate with the attendant increase in cost.
The way the magazine is printed is that the magazine must always be printed in groups of 4 pages (think about how a double sided A3 sheet folds over to become part of the magazine). In fact, the most cost effective way of printing is effectively an A2 sheet so a group of 8 pages per sheet. This is actually how the News is printed, 3 groups of 8 pages that are cut and folded.
I have looked at a bi-monthly magazine that made use of the 250g limit. Printing 48 pages was no cheaper on a cost per page but there would be a saving on annual postage costs. Going this route would simply have the advantage of space to expand and, potentially, move the groups to a separate sheet(s) but, from talking to members, the monthly nature of the magazine is one of the things that members really do like. Those of you, like me, who are members of other groups such as 2mm, 3mm, 7mm or 16mm societies, know there is a very different feel to magazines that are produced less frequently.
Branchlines is staying. The groups are important. The question is how best to use the limited space to convey the activities and ethos of the groups. On a personal note, my modelling would not be where it is today, nor would it be so enjoyable, without the support and friendship of the Oxford and Wiltshire groups.
The change to the May issue was a good start to try something different. I am sure it is going to evolve over the coming months and we'll find the sweet spot for the ever growing groups and members. I'm not sure there are many groups that can claim the steady growth that the 009 Society has!
Stuart
On the size/cost/weight/frequency issue I do like the monthly format. I think changing to say publishing six times a year, even it if meant being able to receive more than double the content for the same cost would be less satisfactory. I also think the nature of the content fits a slimmer more frequent format. However it is also interesting to see more in-depth articles and I think publishing them in two, three or more parts works well.
I also receive a model flying magazine that is published every two months and it is a lot thicker and has lengthier articles. I don't think it is just old age or a general modern lack of attention span thing but I feel there is rather more of a need to fill the space and while there are some fascinating and well researched articles it can also be four months or more between something that is really satisfying.
If we are on the cusp of having more material than fits the constraints of publishing and distribution or there is desire to say publish some weightier in-depth articles then would having occasional 'bumper issues' be a possibility, either on an ad hoc or regular basis?
Picking up on a thread,
Many of us felt it was a waste of space !
Who are the many ? and what constitutes many ?
Is it a handful, several or hundreds ? or just the normal vocal minority ?
Stan.
I suppose that I was one, Stan, and was prepared to say so, hence the comment "vocal" (i.e. I was prepared to say something wasn't right whilst others thought it but kept quiet) though I'd dispute the "minority" bit as there's never been any investigation into numbers so that's purely an assumption by you.
However what we were saying is that we felt that BL had run it's course in it's present format (see my early post about it's content and take a look at entries over the past few years). I was as guilty as others when I did the reports for the early days of the W Mids group, numbers, whose house we were in and a very thin report of what was discussed - quite honestly I look back and feel it was a waste of space other than showing the group met up regularly. However (for example) Julien's recent reports which I get by email are a world away for those early days, including much more detail and even photos of what people brought along.
I'd suggest reports such as that, rather than attendance counts, are much more likely to encourage people to attend and this is what I hope happens to BL.
As the author of one of the entries I did find the old format somewhat repetitive to write and very probably to read too. Given a limited number of words to work with I am not sure there was a sensible way of keeping the content fresh and informative without resorting to repeating basic information about a group or saying anything in any meaningful context.
I think a serious consideration is what the purpose of Branchlines is. What I think this is includes:
1. Letting members, particularly new Society members know of the existence of Area Groups in general.
2. Indicate where Area Groups have been set up.
3. Inform prospective Area Group members where and how they operate (including longer term members who have moved location).
4. Provide information on specific interests or activities within a particular Area Group, perhaps including whether they have links to local model railway clubs or form part of a wider scale/gauge group of NG modellers.
5. Inform other Area Groups of their existence for the purpose of arranging things like joint activities, invitations to each others meetings, member days and exhibitions.
6. Inform groups of members thinking of setting up an Area Group.
There are probably many other things too.
In a way, Branchlines is a victim of its own success. When few Area Groups existed and reported their activities it was quite probably an inspiration to others, perhaps even engendering a bit of envy. (I remember in another society someone posting "when will they start an area group near me?"... No, it doesn't work like that.) There might have been a bit vicarious enjoyment of the activity of other members by reading about their exploits. With the success of Area groups, doing similar things in many cases, there is danger of reporting what is going on seeming a bit hackneyed.
So I guess the question is how to promote Area Groups and keep members informed in an enjoyable way?
Perhaps its a chance to ask all the society membership, which way they wish to proceed with the newsletter by having a vote.
ie
Monthly or bi monthly.
Should the old format for branchlines be discontinued.
Should we carry on with branchlines as its always been.
Would the editor benefit from having an assistant and they could put the branchlines together from the details sent in, but have restrictions
on the amount of wording for each group.
Stuart is doing a great job as editor, but at some point he will move on, so by having an assistant, that may help when there is a change
of editor.
What also concerns me, is, that the vast number of society members prefer to be on the 009 railway modellers facebook rather than on
any 009 society formats.
Yes, its instant gratification, but the vast amount of those articles, photos, write ups will not see the light of day on these pages, the
newsletter or the 009 society facebook page.
Stan.
Quote from: Stan Williams on May 07, 2022, 12:02What also concerns me, is, that the vast number of society members prefer to be on the 009 railway modellers facebook rather than on any 009 society formats.
Yes, its instant gratification, but the vast amount of those articles, photos, write ups will not see the light of day on these pages, the
newsletter or the 009 society facebook page.
You've rather answered you're own question, there, Stan, "instant gratification"! Also that one and the other 009/H0e FB pages are nothing to do with the Society and so have lots of non members on them. I'm not a massive fan of FB as useful information is far too easily lost, unlike a Forum where it's easier to find if you need it. However it's much easier to post on and, because the two are not Society only it will have greater membership and so more posts. I'm a member of several foreign forums as well as foreign FB that cover H0e and it tends to be the FB pages that generate the interesting stuff.
I tend to think of Society only forums and FB pages as being more for finding out about that Society rather than for general NG discussion and use them accordingly, I suspect others do the same. If I want information on NG in general I'm more likely to look at NGRM or one of the non Society FB pages rather than ours simply because I'm more likely to come across someone with that information. I'm not sure it's something the Society should be concerned about unless the discussion becomes personal against a Society, but from what I've seen the Forum and FB page owners tend to clamp down on that quite quickly. Not everyone wants to join a Society!
Horses for courses?
Quote from: Stuart Taylor on May 07, 2022, 07:18
Everyone
Please keep the comments coming, I really want to understand what people care about with reagrds to 009 News.
.....
Space is the problem. We are able to put 24 pages into an A4 envelope and stay within the 100g postal rate. Any more and we risk going over into the 250g postal rate with the attendant increase in cost.
.....
I have looked at a bi-monthly magazine that made use of the 250g limit. Printing 48 pages was no cheaper on a cost per page but there would be a saving on annual postage costs. Going this route would simply have the advantage of space to expand and, potentially, move the groups to a separate sheet(s) but, from talking to members, the monthly nature of the magazine is one of the things that members really do like. Those of you, like me, who are members of other groups such as 2mm, 3mm, 7mm or 16mm societies, know there is a very different feel to magazines that are produced less frequently.
....
Stuart
*
Stuart and all
Perhaps a slightly more radical approach to size (number of pages) and frequency of publication could be considered.
Am I right in thinking that at the moment we are using the Royal Mail MAILMARK system? If so then I calculate as follows. I apologise in advance if I have made any mathematical errors.
[1] The cost if posting each issue up to 100g is £0.93 = £11.16 a year.
[2] The cost of posting larger issues (and say including a separate "NEWSLETTER") up to 250g would be £1.31 each = £15.72 a year. This would be an increase of £4.56.
[3] If a larger issue as above were only published 6 times a year the cost would drop to £7.86 - a saving vs 12 smaller issues of £3.30.
[4] Now consider splitting the difference - are monthly or bi-monthly the only options? Say there were to be published 9 issues a year exploiting the up to 250g size and allowing for a separate "NEWSLETTER". The cost of that in postage terms would be £11.79 - an annual increase of only £0.63 per member.
[5] Could that sum be found from existing subscription funds?
[6] And would members find publication every 5.77 weeks unbearable?
Christopher Payne
Another model railway group I'm a member of tried producing a separate 'journal' and 'newsletter' for a while and went back to distributing a single publication.
If the periodical published output is split into separate parts covering different types of material there is the question of how to divide it and where to put material that straddles the boundary. It could get really interesting if the content of a named section could be thought to oscillate between the two parts on different occasions.
There is material that is sporadic and quite a lot of that might be said to be 'news' rather than 'articles': trade matters, Society sales, product releases, Society news. It could be feast or famine between months. With an all-in-one publication if there really is a shortage of material then I'm sure there are all sorts of editorial tricks such as retrospectives or showing additional photographs from an earlier article to help fill it. (Been there, done that, written extended editorials to make up space. *)
If news is short and there is a separate newsletter it could mean searching for the proverbial dead donkey but if there there are major announcements then it might mean trimming them to an extent that diminishes their importance.
With a single volume some items could be fitted in or held over if particular content is time critical. There are some items that could perhaps be published in abbreviated form and more in-depth in the next issue so as not to have to cut down a significant article.
Further more, are items such as notification of a new loco and a basic review 'news' but something more in-depth, especially if it includes dimensions and disassembly that is of interest to loco builders an 'article'? With Society matters, is a factual report, 'news' but a discussion document on future direction an 'article'?
On top of that, there are double the number of front covers, contents pages/sections, possibly double the editorials or equivalent introductions, essential contact information, disclaimers and other legal or publication type stuff, possibly a certain amount of cross referencing or sign-posting between the parts, where do the adverts go (no doubt some readers won't want them 'polluting' the serious articles but advertisers will expect them where they have best impact), and so on.
* I was tickled to read a piece in a German equivalent of a computing SIG newsletter I once edited. It was a reference to a Mrs Trellis of North Wales (translated into German). The two sister magazines regularly contained summaries of activities in each other's national SIG groups. In one issue I published there was only one letter from the UK members so I couldn't resist the 'Clue' reference about the 'overflowing postbag'. This was duly translated into German and published in their newsletter. I guess it was a slow month for them too. :)
Is Mrs Trellis a Society member? If so, her views on this topic would be invaluable... :)
David.
Following on from CP's suggestion, there is a well known NG mag that does put out 9 issues a year as it is monthly in the summer but every two months in the winter as this is a quiet time for the heritage businesses. I myself find it confusing but I could I expect get use to it. The 009 publication(s) could be similar but monthly in the winter when the modelling activity is high and every two months in the summer when people tend to be out and about doing other things (like going to exhibitions).
Or just go to every six weeks.
I know a few modelling societies which do a separate news and articles publications, both mailed out together. The one with the articles is generally high quality with good presentation values, high resolution photos, etc. but obviously takes more time to prepare. The news one has no photos, is just text and just monochrome, but can be put together more quickly and so has later deadlines, so the news pieces are more topical and the info is more up to date. Its also cheaper to print.
It's easy to split the items between the two, the news one generally has news items, updates on society sales, info on society meetings (AGMs etc.), contact details, and the equivalent of our Branchlines. These need no photos and benefit from the shorter deadline. The articles are glossy, losts of photos, well produced, but not time critical.
Frank
More broadly, regarding the May issue, I liked the breadth of articles.
Brian's analysis of membership was interesting. (Now I know why he was asking when I joined!) I will be interesting to see what happens to membership now exhibitions are starting up again. It was good to see 009 from the perspective of overseas members, and also that small or micro layouts seem to be popular I liked the "Automatic Ryan" and while the News may not be the best place for it, I'd like to know more about the technical details, that is, being a member of the Electronics SIG. Finally, back to the Branchlines debate, having the list showed at least one group I did not know existed. I guess if I looked on the web page I would have done so, but then I guess that shows the value of having it in the News in much that same way that I'd look in it for Society officers contact details.
Again, thank you to everyone who participated in the discussion. The thread will probably wither, not least because the June issue has gone to the printers and I've already had the editor's copies back. Everyone else will have to wait another week or two to get their hands on a copy.
I intend to carry on with the current format and see if there is more feedback. Maybe, after a few months, it might be worth surveying the membership on the future of 009 News. It is, after all, a relatively cheap thing to do but creating a good survey is an artform as I have seen plenty of surveys where the questions are not clear or biased :D
We can also see here that the numbers contributing to this discussion is less than 1% of the membership so hardly indiciative of the wider membership view but I am happy that the general view is that it was time for a change and the support you all give me.
Perhaps the biggest question of how frequently we produce the magazine and how thick it is will be driven by cost. We are having to absorb increased costs and Peter has looked elsewhere to see if other printers are cheaper but the outcome of that was that the minimal savings did not sufficiently offset the effort of moving printers but I don't think any of us can predict how much costs are going to change over the coming year.
For me, it is back to July's issue, which is two thirds complete, and then onto August's. I'm trying to get ahead of the game so I can take a 2 week holiday without coming back to a mad rush to finish the issue!
Thank you everyone
Stuart
As a (possible) final word I will do my usual trick of throwing in a few statistics for your consideration:
As of this moment we have 2162 members; 12% of them do not have email that I know of. They all therefore rely on the News for all their information re the Society.
Of those 12%, 95% pay their subs by 'traditional' means ie Cheque or Standing Order. And for 75% of them I do not know their age despite my efforts. They are certainly from the older age range and many of them are no longer active modellers - I know from various communications.
I would tentatively suggest that you wait a good ten years before making too many fundamental changes to the News.
Quote from: Stan Williams on May 05, 2022, 19:36
It would appear that it is best to put details on the 009 Railway Modellers Facebook, as there are more 009 society members
on there, than on here.
The question is why ?
Stan.
Could it be because
- It is easier to post photographs?
- A trip to FB normally includes several other groups, maybe even other interests. Coming here requires an extra "trip"?
- FB (for me) is just a single click on my phone. Coming here requires me to either set up a shortcut or naviagte through a web browser
- Some of the people in that group are not currently 009 society members?
,
Or maybe because you can set up access to FB yourself, whereas you need to 'apply' for access credentials to join the Society forum?
David.
Quote from: Stephen Rainsbury on May 14, 2022, 23:10
Quote from: Stan Williams on May 05, 2022, 19:36
It would appear that it is best to put details on the 009 Railway Modellers Facebook, as there are more 009 society members
on there, than on here.
The question is why ?
Stan.
Could it be because
- It is easier to post photographs?
- A trip to FB normally includes several other groups, maybe even other interests. Coming here requires an extra "trip"?
- FB (for me) is just a single click on my phone. Coming here requires me to either set up a shortcut or naviagte through a web browser
- Some of the people in that group are not currently 009 society members?
,
Yes to all of these. The forum is good for discussions and dissemination of information but it is more cumbersom to use than Facebook. I find that the forum really requires a tablet or laptop to be comfortable to use whereas Facebook is optimised for the phone. Neither are bad, but they end up serving different purposes.
Stuart
[/quote]
Yes to all of these. The forum is good for discussions and dissemination of information but it is more cumbersom to use than Facebook. I find that the forum really requires a tablet or laptop to be comfortable to use whereas Facebook is optimised for the phone. Neither are bad, but they end up serving different purposes.
Stuart
[/quote]
*
Whilst it is no surprise to me, the above makes me aware that I may be some sort of semi-dinosaur.
I am on the one hand "of a certain age", and on the other "on line" (rather than exclusively dependent on printed matter for information).
But, so as to speak, on the third hand I am at this moment neither using a 'phone nor tablet or laptop.
I sit (on a very comfortable chair) at my desk, with a keyboard before me, and read off a screen. My post luncheon cup of coffee is now empty at my elbow.
In this somewhat relaxed state I am composing what I write and will be reading it through, and possibly editing it, before hitting the "Post" button.
*****
Perhaps Brian Ellsmore has the statistics to inform us what percentage of the membership conduct themselves in a similar or other manner.
CP
Another semi dinosaur here. I sit comfortably in my chair with a real full size keyboard and facing a nice 24" monitor.
I have great admiration for anyone who can do forums, Facebook or e-mail on a phone with a virtual keyboard.
and another semi-dinosaur here, sitting in my comfortable office chair reading the forum on my 27" monitor and replying using a full-sized keyboard.
As possibly a dinosaur of a different species, I would like to say that I do not do Facebook. I used to, but then I deleted my account. So anything placed exclusively on FB will pass me by.
Frank
As we are on the subject, I am more of the dinosaur type. I was once on FB back in the 2007, but it was not for me. 6 months later I closed the account. I navigate the world on my two tablets and a handy.
My account was closed by WhatsApp back in 2021 because I did not agree to their new terms, since then they reactivated my account, but by then I had moved on to Signal and Threema.
Speaking of dinosaurs. I remember that back the early prehistoric days of e-mail you could only e-mail someone if they were a member of the same service provider as you, RFC822 effectively put an end to that.
But it would seem that with the proliferation of social media sites we're going back those old days again with people not being able to communicate with each other because they're on different social media platforms.
I use the Facebook groups, this forum as well as NGRM-on-line.
I access these via a laptop most of the time.
However, I also still like and want printed magazines.
Every 009 News, right from the start up to the end of 2021 fits in one draw in filling cabinet, so storage is not really an issue. I have only just had to start a second draw this year.
You can easily post photos on this forum but you are limited to 4 per post, maximum total size of 300KB and maximum individual size of 300KB. I just reduce the size of the photo to 1280x960 and then save it as a JPG with 25% compression. That fits in well with the size allowances.
However, not everyone can easily do this.